Correction and Retraction

  • Initiation of Retraction:
    • Request for Retraction: A retraction can be initiated by the authors, editorial board, or readers who provide credible evidence questioning the integrity of the work.
    • Reporting Misconduct: Readers, reviewers, or third parties can report suspected misconduct or major errors by emailing the editorial office at qj@kti.edu.iq. Anonymous submissions will be considered if supported by verifiable evidence.
  • Investigation:
    • Preliminary Review: Upon receiving a retraction request, the editorial team conducts an initial assessment to determine if the complaint warrants further investigation.
    • Ethics Committee: If necessary, the case will be referred to an independent ethics review committee for thorough examination.
    • Communication with Authors: The corresponding author will be contacted and asked to provide an explanation and any supporting documents. The author is given 15 days to respond.
  • Decision Making:
    • Assessment of Evidence: The editorial board reviews all evidence, including original data (if available) and third-party inputs.
    • Author Involvement: Authors are invited to contribute to the investigation to ensure transparency.
  • Outcome:
    • Retraction Approved: If the investigation confirms significant misconduct or error, the article will be retracted.
    • Correction Instead of Retraction: If the error does not invalidate the entire study but requires significant modification, a correction notice will be issued instead of retraction.
  • Retraction Notice:
    • Content of Retraction: A formal retraction notice will be published in the journal, clearly stating:
      • The reason for retraction.
      • Who initiated the retraction (authors or journal).
      • Details regarding the nature of the error or misconduct.
    • Article Marking: The original article will remain on the journal’s website but will be watermarked with the word "Retracted" across all versions (HTML, PDF).
    • Indexing Services: Retraction notices will be sent to indexing databases (e.g., Scopus, Web of Science) to ensure the retraction is reflected in citations and search results.
  • Appeals Process:
    • Authors may appeal a retraction decision within 30 days by providing additional evidence or clarifications. Appeals are reviewed by the ethics committee, and a final decision is made within 45 working days.
    • The decision of the editorial board after the appeal is final.
  • Transparency and Record Keeping:
    • All correspondence, investigation reports, and communications regarding the retraction will be documented and archived for future reference.
    • Retraction notices will remain publicly accessible to ensure accountability and maintain trust in the scientific record.